Remotely actuated pressure dispensing container having a distendable body



G. C. WIGGINS REMOTELY ACTUATED PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING A DISTEINDABLE BODY Filed D66. 15, 1966 Dec. 5, 1967 s w W Z mw a o C n m United States Patent Ofiice REMOTELY ACTUATED PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING A DISTENDABLE BODY Glenn C. Wiggins, Midland, Mich, assignor to The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 601,931 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-183) This invention relates to an improved pressure dispensing container having a remotely actuated dispensing valve, and more particularly relates 'to an improved dispensing container having a remotely actuated valve coupled to a distended elastomeric body.

Many pressure dispensing containers are available which contain a wide variety of products. Frequently, it is desired to operate a pressurized dispensing container in an inverted position or in a position where the dispensing valve is remotely located relative to the operators hand or hands. Typically, certain cleaning solutions, paints, dyes and the like when packaged in a pressurized dispensing vessel are not always as desirable as they might be in that the operators hand must be disposed in relatively close proximity to the valve or to a lever actuating mechanism spaced from the valve. Many conventional pressurized dispensing containers are not readily provided with a remote actuating means in that this remote actuating means is disposed externally to the container and oftentimes interferes with packaging and may unintentionally open the dispensing valve.

It would be beneficial if there were available an improved pressurized dispensing container which could be remotely actuated and a major portion of the actuating mechanism disposed within the container.

It would also be beneficial if the there were available an improved pressurized dispensing container which has a valve which can be remotely activated and which does not require special precautions in packaging and handling.

It would also be desirable if there were an improved dispensing container available having a remotely actuated valve which is simple and inexpensive to produce.

These benefits and other advantages in accordance with the present invention are achieved in a pressurized dispensing container comprising a pressure distendable elastomeric body having a first end and a second end, the body defining an internal cavity, the body being composed of a pressure distendable elastomeric material, a dispensing valve aflixed to the first end of the body and providing selective communication with the interior thereof, a housing disposed about the distendable body, and a flexible valve actuating element operatively atfixed to the valve, the valve actuating element extending within the housing from the first end of the elastomeric body to a position generally adjacent the second end of the elastomeric body.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 schematically depicts a sectional view of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of an alternate container in accordance with the invention.

In FIGURE 1 there is depicted a pressurized dispensing container generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The container 10 comprises in cooperative combination a hollow distended elastomeric body 11. The body 11 in its undistended form has a generally cylindrical configuration. The body 11 has a first end 12 and a second end 13. The body 11 defines an internal cavity or chamber 14 having disposed therein a liquid 15. Because of the elastomeric nature of the body 11, the liquid 15 is under 3,356,265 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 pressure. A dispensing valve 17 is aflixed to the first end 12 of the body 11 in such a manner that the valve 17 provides selective communication between the cavity and a location external to the body 11 when the valve is actuated. The valve 17 is maintained in sealing engagement with the first end 12 of the body 11 by means of a compression ring or collar 18. The dispensing valve 17 has an actuating means or cap 19 which, on being depressed toward the first end 12 of the body 11 permits flow of liquid 15 from the cavity 14. A housing 22 is disposed generally coaxial about the body 11. The housing 22 defines an internal cavity 23. The housing 22 has a wall 25 having an external surface 26 and an internal surface 27. The housing 22 has a first end 29 and a second end 30. The valve 17 beneficially is afiixed to the first end 29 of the housing 22 and passes therethrough in such a manner that the actuating means or cap 19 is disposed external to the cavity 23. The second end 30 of the housing 22 defines an aperture or opening 31. A flexible actuating means 32 passes from a location generally adjacent the second end 13 of the distendable body 11 between the internal surface 27 of the housing 22 and the body 11 and is secured to the cap 19. The flexible actuating element 32 comprises a first flexible element 33 and a second flexible element 34. The elements 33 and 34 remote from the cap 19 are secured to a finger engaging means 35.

In operation of the container as depicted in FIGURE 1, the distendable body 11 is filled with a liquid which is desired to be dispensed. Beneficially, filling may be accomplished in the conventional manner through the valve, or alternately, may be injected through the second end 1'3 and the second end 13 clamped to provide a suitable seal. Beneficially, such filling may be accomplished by means of a hollow needle or the like. The valve 17 beneficially is secured to the housing 22 and the flexible actuating elements 33 and 34 are disposed between the distendable body 11 and the wall 27 of the container. Grasping the housing 22 adjacent the bottom between the thumb and middle finger permits the index finger to grasp the finger engaging means 35 and exerting pressure on the finger engaging means away from the opening 31 the cap 19 is moved toward the second end 12, the body 11 and liquid is released. When the pressure of the index finger is removed from the finger engaging means 35, the tension in the valve 19 causes the flexible elements to move toward the first end 12 of the body 11 and the valve to close. Thus, the container of FIGURE 1 is readily held and operated in one hand or two hands, as desired.

In FIGURE 2 there is depicted an alternate pressure dispensing container in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 40. The container 40 comprises a distended elastomeric container 41 generally similar to the body 11 of FIGURE 1. The body 41 has a first or valve end 42 having disposed therein a dispensing valve 43. The dispensing valve 43 has a cap or actuating means 45 which is adapted to selectively open or close the valve 43 as the cap is tilted. A hollow housing 46 surrounds the body 41. The housing 46 defines a first or upper end 47 and a second or lower end 48. A sliding control means 49 projects from the housing 46 adjacent the second end 48. The control means 49 is in communication with an elongate flexible actuating means 51 which passes from the control means 49 to the cap 45 between the housing 46 and the distendable body 41. Motion of the control means 49 toward the second end 48 within a slot not shown causes the flexible control means 51 to tilt the cap 45 and permit the contents of the body 41 to discharge.

Dispensers in accordance with the present invention are readily prepared employing a wide variety of materials for the outer housing including rigid and flexible plastics, metal and the like. Most often, however, it is desirable to employ a rigid material such as sheet steel, aluminum, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and the like. The distendable body 11 or 4 1 beneficially is prepared from an elastomer such as vulcanized natural rubber, neopentane rubber and the like. Such distendable bodies are often readily prepared employing gum rubber tubing which has a valve clamped in one end and a plug in the opposite end. Beneficially, the plug may be solid gum rubber and a rigid material such as a synthetic resin which is non-reactive with the contents of the dispenser. The flexible elements beneficially may be prepared from flexible wire, oriented plastic monofilament, braid or light cord.

Containers in accordance with the present invention are readily actuated when held at a location remote from the valve and may be operated with one or two hands as desired and offer substantially little or no difficulty in packaging and shipping.

As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the present invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may diifer particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. For this reason, it is to be fully understood that all of the foregoing is intended to be merely illustrative and is not to be construed or interpreted as being restrictive or otherwise limiting of the present invention, excepting as it is set forth and defined in the hereto-appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressurized dispensing container comprising a pressure distendable elastomeric body having a first end and a second end, the body defining an internal cavity, the body being composed of a pressure distendable elastomeric material,

a dispensing valve affixed to the first end of the body and providing selective communication with the interior thereof,

a housing disposed about the distendable body,

a flexible valve actuating element operatively afiixed to the valve, the valve actuating element extending within the housing from the first end of the elastomeric body to a position generally adjacent the second end of the elastomeric body.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric body is disposed entirely Within the housing.

'3. The container of claim 2 wherein the valve actuating element has secured thereto a finger engaging means adjacent the second end of the elastomeric body.

4. The container of claim '3 wherein the finger engaging means is disposed generally within the housing.

5. The container of claim 3 wherein the finger engaging means is disposed generally external to the housing.

6. The containerof claim 1 wherein the distendable body is distended by means of a fluid disposed therein.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the flexible valve actuating element comprises I a first flexible element and a second flexible element, the first and second flexible elements being joined adjacent the second end of the container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,110,426 11/1963 Bishop 222 505 

1. A PRESSURIZED DISPENSING CONTAINER COMPRISING A PRESSURE DISTENDABLE ELASTOMERIC BODY HAVING A FIRST END AND A SECOND END, THE BODY DEFINING AN INTERNAL CAVITY, THE BODY BEING COMPOSED OF A PRESSURE DISTENDABLE ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL, A DISPENSING VALVE AFFIXED TO THE FIRST END OF THE BODY AND PROVIDING SELECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF, 